The quality of a sumo wrestler’s life is determined to a large extent by his position on the banzuke.
Often described as a living document, the banzuke is an ever-changing ranking list, written in traditional calligraphy, that contains the names of every rikishi, from veteran, highly decorated yokozuna to teenagers who are just getting their careers started.
Inside the strict hierarchical world that is Japan’s national sport, banzuke position is everything, with clothing, footwear, chores, responsibilities, free time and salary all linked to how high — or low — a rikishi is ranked.
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